All registered voters can now vote early in Massachusetts

The Board of Registrars are excited to announce that all registered voters will be able to vote before Election Day for the first time ever in Massachusetts. Early voting will begin on October 24th and continue through November 4th, 2016. Prior to the enactment of this new law, the only way a registered voter was allowed to vote prior to Election Day was through absentee voting. ALthough absentee voting will still be available fvofr registered voters who qualify, only those who will be absent from their city or town on Election Day, or have a disability that prevents them from going to the polls, or have a religious belief preventing the same, are legally alloweed to fote by absentee ballot.

Unlike absentee voting, early voting is for every registered voter. Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early. Regardless of whether a voter wants to take advantage of early voting, vote absentee or vote on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check to see if you are registered to vote, and to find information on how to register to vote, you may visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, www.sec.state.ma.us/ele. If you need to register to vote, you may to it online by visiting: www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. All you need is a license or an ID issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online.

To be eligible to vote in the November 8th State Election, you must register to vote or make any necessary changes to your voter registration by October 19, 2016.

Early voting can be done in person or by mail. In the Town of Milton, early voting can be done beginning October 24, in person at Town Offices, 525 Canton Ave., during regularly scheduled business hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m; Fridays, 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For the convenience of our residents, the Town Clerk has also decided to offer the following extended hours on Thursday, October 27 from 5 – 8 p.m. and Tuesday November 1 from 5 – 8 p.m., as well as Saturday hours on October 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Also, registered voters have the option to request an early voting ballot through the mail. Simply fill out an application and mail it to Susan M. Galvin, Town Clerk, 525 Canton Ave, Milton, MA 02186. You can find the application on the Town Clerk’s website: townofmilton.org/Public_Documents/MiltonMA_Clerk/Early%20Voting.